EAST LANSING -- Michigan State entered this season with a new starting quarterback and wide receivers, but returned a top-notch defense and a bruising running back in Le'Veon Bell.

The Spartans have hosted three ranked teams (Boise State, Notre Dame and Ohio State) and lost to two of them. They struggled mightily at times in wins over Eastern Michigan and Indiana.

At the midpoint of its season, Michigan State is 4-2. And it hasn't been easy. So in the spirit of college, it's time to hand out midterm grades for each position group.

Which Spartans have met your expectations? Exceeded them, or fallen short? Vote in the polls and leave your comments below.

QUARTERBACKStats: Andrew Maxwell has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,428 yards and six touchdowns, with three interceptions. He threw for a career-high 290 yards Saturday against the Hoosiers.

Comment: Maxwell's starting tenure began with a nightmare three-interception half against Boise State, but he's showed progress ever since. His last two games have been his best, as his accuracy and touch improve to go along with his strong arm.

RUNNING BACKStats: Le'Veon Bell is averaging 129.3 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. Bell rushed for 210 yards against Boise State and 244 against Eastern Michigan. He's scored 7 touchdowns. Larry Caper has just 16 carries for 85 yards.

Comment: Bell has proven he's capable of carrying a heavy load, averaging 28.5 carries per game. He has been mostly excellent in blitz pickups and is second on the team with 23 receptions. He's been the Spartans' offensive MVP. Will he wear down?

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT ENDStats: Dion Sims leads Michigan State with 24 catches, but exited Saturday's win with an injury. Keith Mumphery (21 receptions) Bennie Fowler (20) and Tony Lippett (19) have had their moments, but too many drops. Freshman Aaron Burbridge had eight catches vs. Indiana in his first career start.

Comment: Burbridge proves hope for an inexperienced group that's been plagued by drops this season. Now Sims' injury is the biggest question mark. Fowler's dropped a couple passes in the end zone, but came through Saturday and might be more comfortable in a reduced role. The good news is the receivers are getting open and with consistent catches, the offense could take off.

OFFENSIVE LINEStats: Maxwell has been sacked just five times and Bell is fifth in the nation in rushing with 771 yards.

Comment: First it was Blake Treadwell, then Fou Fonoti and now Travis Jackson out with injuries. Treadwell is close to 100 percent, but unit is a work in progress. Skyler Burkland has struggled at times at right tackle and Michigan State hasn't been able to run the ball consistently against strong defensive fronts.

DEFENSIVE LINEStats: Defensive ends Will Gholston (22 tackles) and Marcush Rush (21) have just one sack each. Anthony Rashad White and Micajah Reynolds have received the majority of the playing time at defensive tackle and have nine tackles each.

Comment: Gholston entered the season with All-American hype, but has been admittedly inconsistent. The loss of Jerel Worthy in the middle still resonates, as White and Reynolds haven't been able to provide a consistent push. James Kittredge, who has a high motor, needs more playing time at tackle. Tyler Hoover (calf) has missed the last three games.

LINEBACKERSStats: Max Bullough leads the Spartans with 47 tackles and is second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss. Denicos Allen, second in the Big Ten in sacks last season, has just one. Chris Norman is third on the team with 30 tackles.Comment: Allen hasn't been able to get the quarterback as frequently so far, and that's partially due to some of the quick-strike attacks Michigan State has faced. Norman was replaced in the lineup by Taiwan Jones vs. Indiana, who is better against teams that like to spread it out. Despite the lack of sacks, this unit has been the defense's most consistent.

SECONDARYStats: Safety Isaiah Lewis is second to Bullough with 34 tackles and is one of four defensive backs with an interception. Cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard (25 tackles) and Johnny Adamas (21 tackles) have been tested often.

Comment: Lewis is one of the Big Ten's biggest hitters in the secondary and has been excellent in run support. Safety Jairus Jones has been solid; Kurtis Drummond and RJ Williamson provide depth and are better in pass situations. But the focus is on Adams, who's been beat deep on a handful of occasions already.

SPECIAL TEAMSStats: Dan Conroy is 11 of 16 on field goal attempts, with two of those misses coming in tries under 40 yards. Mike Sadler has averaged 45 yards on 30 punts, including a 70-yarder against Eastern Michigan. Nick Hill has handed the majority of the returns and averages 23.8 yards on kickoffs.

Comment: Conroy finally snapped his streak of a missed field goal in every game by going 1-for-1 vs. Indiana. Sadler can be weapon and has handled the holder job. Hill has muffed three punts (and recovered two), so his days as a returner could be numbered.

COACHINGStats: At 4-2 and 1-1 in the Big Ten, Mark Dantonio's Spartans still have a shot at the Big Ten championship game. Michigan State lost only one conference game each of the past two seasons. The defense ranks ninth in the country in total yards.

Comment: Both of Michigan State's losses are to undefeated teams and while there have been growing pains on offense and a couple games that were too close, the Spartans' Rose Bowl dream remains alive. Slow starts have been a concern and the gauntlet of Michigan-Wisconsin-Nebraska still remains.